Historic Buildings
To The Swarthmorean,
Melanie Rodbart speaking at the October 20 Planning Commission meeting
The response by the Condo Development Team published in the October 29 issue failed to say how they will obtain a demolition permit for the historic properties located at 102-104 Park Ave and 110-112 Park Ave that is required to clear the site to make way for the proposed 110 Park Ave building. Demolition of these properties is in violation of the Swarthmore zoning code because they were determined to have historic value (see the Historic Resources Survey prepared by John Pickett in 2001).
No single element of the current structures will be retained in the new development. Not a single brick. Constructed in 1920, the building at 102-104, has stood for over 100 years and is still in good condition with plenty of life ahead. The proposed condo building has modern exterior facade elements of brick veneer and fiber cement siding that have a lifespan of about 30 years.
No matter how many environmental boxes are checked by the current proposal, let us not be fooled into thinking the proposed plan is “green.” Recent studies have demonstrated that the greenest building is the one that is already built. Sustainable or “green” development is NOT demolishing a fine building and constructing a new “environmentally friendly” building in its place. Integrating existing buildings and historic preservation initiatives are the ways to promote green building and sustainable communities. Task forces for land use planning and historic preservation are integral to this process.
Swarthmore, I ask you to consider what makes Town Center charming and authentic. Consider other signature buildings with historic value in Swarthmore—the beaux-arts Shirer Building at 21 South Chester Rd. or the Tudor-style building at Park Ave. and South Chester Rd. (Michael’s Corner). If the historic buildings at 102-104 and 110-112 Park Ave can be disposed of at the whim of a developer, then where does it stop?
Melanie Rodbart
Professional Engineer
Swarthmore
